Zhu Yanyi paused to organize her thoughts. "In Traditional Chinese Medicine, every patient is unique. This is different from Western medicine, which categorizes diseases by type. Western doctors prescribe standard medications for specific conditions. But TCM is different. It follows a one-to-one approach. One patient, one prescription. Even if the herbs are the same, the dosage varies. Throughout history, no two prescriptions have ever been exactly identical."
"Doesn't that get tiring?" Cole asked, confused.
"Why would it be tiring? It’s similar to Western medicine, just a different method. Western doctors also write prescriptions. The process is the same: examine, diagnose, prescribe. But TCM adjusts the formula based on where you live and your daily routine," Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Western medicine aims to suppress symptoms quickly. TCM aims to prevent recurrence and cure the root cause. That’s why personalized prescriptions are necessary. It’s like buying clothes. Sizes vary. Two people might buy the same style, but the stitching and fit will differ."
She glanced at the kettle. White bubbles rose from the spout, indicating the water was boiling. She held her hand above the kettle to test the heat. Satisfied, she poured the water over the prepared tea leaves.
The first infusion was not for drinking; it was used to rinse the teaware. Only the second infusion was for consumption. Zhu Yanyi wanted to show George and the others her skills, so she subtly used a bit of her ability. When she poured the second infusion into the cups, the steam above each cup condensed and lingered, refusing to dissipate.
"They say cloud-and-mist tea is the best. I didn't expect you to brew Que She with such a misty elegance," Gu Jingtian laughed.
Zhu Yanyi distributed the tea, handing a cup to each person. "My technique is just a bit special. The tea itself is ordinary." She turned to George and the others. "In our culture, we first smell the aroma, then take a small sip, and slowly savor the flavor." She demonstrated as she spoke.
George and the others were amazed by her brewing skill. They hadn't realized tea preparation could be so intricate. Following her lead, they smelled the aroma and took a gentle sip. George gave a thumbs-up. "Delicious. Chinese tea is truly good."
Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. "Tea is also a health-preserving herb. We drink according to the seasons: flower tea in spring, green tea in summer, oolong in autumn, and black tea in winter. Black tea would be most suitable now, but green tea is the most famous. Most people know Chinese tea as green or oolong, so I brewed green tea for you."
"Tea is just tea. Why so many rules?" George asked, puzzled. "In our country, we drink coffee. There are types, but it’s not as complicated as your tea, divided by seasons."